Sunday, March 8

Feeling Blue? Eat Italian Almond Torte with Blood Orange Compote

On February 9th, I published a post entitled "Fight February with Blood Oranges. Here's how it began:

It's February, and the weather is pretty miserable. There are cold fronts, snow storms, dense fog, and freezing rain blanketing various parts of the country.

Today, one month later, I'm returning to blood oranges and find that the same opening sentence will work again, just by changing the month.

It's March, and the weather is pretty miserable. There are cold fronts, snow storms, dense fog, and freezing rain blanketing various parts of the country.

See what I mean? Works just fine. This might also explain why I have seen so many blog posts lately about SAD (seasonal affect disorder) and creative dry spells and general feelings of ickiness. People are craving sunshine and balmy breezes and spring blossoms.

While I can't make the daffodils grow any more quickly, I can share a recipe for a refreshing Italian Almond and Orange with Blood Orange Compote that is sure to make you feel warm and happy. I created the recipe a few weeks ago and have since made it two more times. It's that good.

While this Italian torte bakes, your home will be filled with the bright scent of citrus. Since it's subtly sweet yet rich with almond flavor, it's ideal for pairing with a glass of Italian Vin Santo on a relaxing afternoon. It also makes a lovely formal dessert when dressed with a spicy compote of tart blood oranges soaked in honey, vanilla, cloves, and star anise.

Given that this is an Italian torte with Sicilian blood oranges (OK, they're San Diego blood oranges, but they're descendants of Sicilian ones), I'm sharing it with Maryann of Finding La Dolce Vita and Marie of Proud Italian Cook who are hosting their second annual Festa Italiana. So enough about the torte. Let's mangia!

Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Butter then flour an 8-inch round cake pan.

In a food processor, grind almonds until a fine meal forms (it's okay if there are a few bigger pieces; it adds to the texture).

In a small bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the ground almonds.

In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer set on high, beat butter and sugar until light. Beat in the eggs. Add almond extract, orange zest, and orange juice; beat until batter is fluffy. Add the flour mixture to the egg mixture; reduce speed and beat until just combined. Pour batter into the prepared pan.

Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. When you insert a toothpick or cake tester into the middle it may come out slightly moist with little bits of cake clinging to it. That's OK. This is a super moist, dense cake. If, however, it is wet or jiggly, then it needs to be baked longer. Transfer the cake to a rack and let cool for 10 minutes. Invert cake onto the rack, then turn right side up.

Meanwhile prepare the blood orange compote. In a medium pot over high heat, combine water, honey and sugar; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and add lemon juice, vanilla, star anise and cloves. Simmer, partially covered, for 20 minutes, or until a syrup forms. Add oranges and simmer 5 minutes more.

Note: The longer you simmer the oranges, the softer they will become. For firm orange slices, simmer no longer than 5 minutes; for softer slices, simmer up to 10 minutes. Any longer than tha, and the oranges will begin to break down. They will stay taste good, but their appearance won't be as attractive.) Serve slightly warm or at room temperature. Remove the star anise and cloves before serving.

Serve cake warm or at room temperature. Top each slice with a spoonful of blood oranges and drizzle with the syrup. If desired, garnish with orange zest curls and star anise; just make sure to remind your guests that the star anise are inedible!

Note: The cake can be made 1-2 days ahead and left on the counter top. However, it's best to make the oranges just prior to serving.

Haha, you caught me. I have totally made reference to SAD and this gloomy weather. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your effort to bring spring and sunshine to the blogging community. This Almond and Orange Torte seems like the perfect segue into spring; I'm sure this cake alone could make the day sunnier and warmer!

I remembered your past blood orange post as soon as I saw this post's photo and header. :-) This recipe looks awesome and one I'll be able to tweak to be gluten-free without any trouble. I love those kinds of recipes!

Yes, we all have our own version of the blues lately for a variety of reasons. Hard times right now! Glad we have each other -- reading blogs like yours boosts my spirits.

Your pictures are so beautiful!!! I want to go out and buy some blood oranges! I saw some at the store yesterday, but they did NOT look like yours! hahahLeslieLeslieVeg@msn.comhttp://leslielovesveggies.blogspot.com/

What a yummy sounding torte! I don't get any blood oranges here but I do have sunny weather in spades...I am melting on this side of the word! If I could send some sunshine over to you for a little bit of cold to cool my head I would!

Maybe I read the recipe too quickly, but can you clarify whether is is baking powder or soda in the recipe (ingred says powder, instr say soda) and also, do you add the ground almonds to the egg mixture or the flour mixture, or maybe it doesn't matter. The cake and compote look just delicious! Thanks!

Can I have some,please? Have all in the house except for the Blood oranges (have Cara Cara which will work. A wee bit different but tasty) Sunday dessert. Mmmmm. And the weather is changing....slowly...but we have a spring day in MN. Thinking spring.

I made it yesterday and everyone loved loved loved it.... but we all agread that oranges from fasnacht are just not tasty enough for the compote... and the compote tasted equally good on the breakfast pancakes form this morning.. just loved them

Oh, this is so beautiful! I realyl wish blood oranges were more easily available here in the UK... They are a rare treat, or an expensive specialist item, despite growing just across the Channel. Harumph.